Displaying items by tag: Cromarty Firth

19th June 2022

Safehaven Marine’s Latest Pilot Boat Deliveries Include a Welcome Repeat Order

Safehaven Marine’s latest deliveries this month include a second pilot boat for Scotland’s Port of Cromarty Firth and a specialised vessel for port operations in Southampton.

Williams Shipping have taken delivery of an Interceptor 48 for crew transfer operations and pilot transfers in the Port of Southampton on the south coast of England.

Willfreedom is the Youghal-based performance boat builder’s 51st pilot boat delivered thus far. It’s powered by a pair of Scania DI13 500hp engines for an operational speed of 25 knots and boats remarkable fuel economy, using as little as 50l/phr from each engine at 20 knots.

Willfreedom is Safehaven Marine’s 51st pilot boat delivered thus far | Credit: Safehaven Marine

Willfreedom’s central helm position is fitted with a full array of Raymarine navigation equipment | Credit: Safehaven Marine

Inside, the central helm position for optimal vessel control is fitted with a full array of Raymarine navigation equipment, while the Grammer shock mitigation seating ensures crew and passenger comfort, as does the full interior climate control.

Elsewhere, Safehaven’s 50th pilot vessel is Balblair, which joins Dalmore (delivered in 2019) as the second order from the Port of Cromarty Firth.

This variation is powered by twin Volvo D13 500hp engines with a “very economical” 25 knots operational speed, as well as a a full array of Furuno navigation equipment and full live-aboard facilities in the spacious lower forward cabin.

Balblair alongside sister pilot boat Dalmore at the Port of Cromarty Firth | Credit: Safehaven Marine

Safehaven Marine’s managing director Frank Kowalski said: “A repeat order from a port is always extremely satisfying as it demonstrates the client’s full satisfaction with the boat and his confidence in our company, especially as the contract for Balblair came in the middle of a global pandemic.”

Published in Safehaven Marine

Tagged under

Invergordon Lifeboat Launches To RIB Drifting Towards Cromarty Firth Oil Rigs

Invergordon RNLI’s volunteer crew recovering the RIB at Nigg in the Highlands

Invergordon RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew launched at 8.36pm last night (Saturday 23 November) to reports of a vessel with no power drifting towards oil rigs in the Cromarty Firth.

The all-weather Trent class lifeboat Douglas Aikman Smith made best speed to the location of two anchored oil rigs — iconic fixtures in the firth — with the two male occupants of the stricken RIB signalling their location by head torch.

After suffering engine trouble shortly after setting off from Nigg, the RIB had drifted a considerable distance with the incoming tide, coming close to the unmanned structures before the lifeboat arrived on scene five minutes after launching.

With no medical issues and the casualties assessed, the lifeboat took the 10ft RIB under tow to Nigg slipway to be recovered and escorted its two crew safely ashore in the lifeboat’s XP boat.

Published in Scottish Waters

Tagged under

Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.